Preliminary Investigation on Some Agronomic and Morphological Variations of Within and Between Bambara Groundnut Landraces

J. Agr. Sci. Tech. (206) Vol. 8: 909-920 Preliminary Investigation on Some Agronomic and Morphological Variations of Within and Between Bambara Groundnut Landraces M. S. Mohammed,2, H. A. Shimelis, and M. D. Laing ABSTRACT Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] is an indigenous legume crop in Africa. It has comparable value to other legumes for food and nutritional security in the continent. However, small-scale farmers continue cultivating unimproved landrace varieties over the production areas in sub-saharan Africa. Bambara groundnut landraces exist as heterogeneous mixtures of seeds, which typically contain a few to several seed morpho-types that may embrace wide genetic diversity. In this study, the agromorphological variations of 23 Bambara groundnut landraces were evaluated to determine the presence of within- and between-landraces of pod and seed morphology, out of which only 49 were used to access their genetic variability using 9 agronomic traits while 58 landraces were used to determine leaf morphology. Most of the landraces displayed pointed, round and yellowish pod colour, with grooved and oval seed shapes. For leaf morphology, 49.4% had round leaves, while 2.5% had elliptical leaves, with 55.7% landraces being heterogeneous possessing more than one leaf shape. Significant differences (P< 0.05) were detected for seed traits and leaf morphology including seed height, canopy spread and terminal width. Leaf morphology could be a useful marker for strategic breeding and genetic conservation of Bambara groundnut. Keywords: Bambara groundnut, Genetic diversity, Landraces, Leaf morphology, Partially balanced design. India and Brazil (Goli et al., 997; Mwale et al., 2007). The crop is mainly grown by subsistence farmers under traditional agricultural systems, mostly for home consumption (Abu and Buah, 20). Bambara groundnut is an under-utilized legume crop and grows as landrace varieties with unpredictable and low yields. Bambara groundnut has multiple advantages comparable with that of other legumes such as cowpea, dry bean, and groundnut. The seed of Bambara groundnut is rich in protein and this complements the cereal based diets of most rural communities in Africa (Ntundu et al., 2004; Olukolu et INTRODUCTION Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.; Syn: Voandzeia subterranea (L.) Thouars.] is an African grain legume widely grown in arid and semi-arid (Mwale et al., 2007) where rainfall is scarse. Based on the most recent characterization data (Goli et al., 997), it was established that West Africa is believed to be the centre of diversity of the crop especially regions around Yola (Nigeria) and Garoua (Cameroun). Bambara groundnut is also grown in Sri-Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, African Center for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 2 Department of Plant Science, Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru/Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. Corresponding author; e-mail: sagir007@gmail.com 909

Mohammed et al. al., 202). Chemical analyses of the seed revealed that about 32.7% of essential amino acids comprise of lysine, histidine, arginine, leucine and isoleucine, while 66.-70.8% were non-essential amino acids including methionine, glycine, cysteine, tyrosine and proline (Minka and Bruneteau, 2000; Amarteifio et al., 200). In its fresh form, the seed is consumed as vegetable, while dry seed can be processed to flour to prepare various kinds of foods including Moi-Moi (a form of steamed-paste) in Nigeria (Okpuzor et al., 2009). Dry seeds are also used as animal feed (Ntundu et al., 2006). The crop is tolerant to drought, adapts to severe environments and has the ability to produce some yield where other legumes may not grow well. It also suffers attack from few pests and diseases (Azam-Ali et al., 200; Sesay et al., 2008). Bambara groundnut has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through symbiotic activity with Rhizobium sp., which is highly beneficial when grown in rotation with cereal crops (Ncube and Twomlow, 2007; Hillocks et al., 202). Although yield of Bambara groundnut is unpredictable (Massawe et al., 2002), the crop has the genetic potential to produce up to 3,000 kg ha- (Collinson et al., 2000). Seed yield between 700 to,000 kg ha- has been reported in Ghana on famers field (Abu and Buah, 20), in which farmers were observed to plant mixed seeds (landraces) as an approach to at least make some harvest in times of weather uncertainty (Brink et al., 2000). Despite its values Bambara groundnut has not received sufficient research attention. As a result there is no coordinated effort for agronomic improvement of the crop through breeding (Ntundu et al., 2004). More research resources have been devoted to cereal crops such as maize, millet and sorghum, and to other legumes, especially groundnut, dry bean and cowpea (Drabo et al., 995). The lack of genetic variability and the absence of suitable ideotypes that are adapted to specific cropping systems are additional constraints limiting seed yields (Sprent et al., 200). Therefore, genetic enhancement and breeding is needed through the utilization of available germplasm. Previous reports indicated the presence of within and between landrace variability (Massawe et al., 2002; Massawe et al., 2003) that can be exploited in breeding. Well-characterized germplasm is essential for strategic conservation and genetic enhancement through pre-breeding and breeding techniques. Bambara groundnut has varied regional names such as Jugo beans or Indlubu (South Africa), Gurjiya or Kwaruru in Hausa (Northern Nigeria) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/vigna subterranea/) and in Swahili, it is known as Njugumawe (Hillocks et al., 202). Bambara groundnut landraces are usually named in relation to the site of their collection, such as the markets where they were purchased, or their seed coat colours, neither of which reflect their origin (Massawe et al., 2002). Thus one landrace may be grown in several growing regions with many names. Thus far no improved varieties have been released following a well-designed breeding of the crop. Farmers typically practice a crude form of mass selection and retain their own seed from season to season, often with mixed seed morpho-types. Some distinguishable features of the landrace varieties grown by farmers include seed morphology, which may be round or oval in shape. These traits can be utilized to initiate selection and phenotypic evaluation through field characterization that would further be used for breeding and systematic conservation. Selection of desirable genotypes increases their use in breeding program to improve selection response on agro-morphological traits. The integration of under-utilized species such as Bambara groundnut landraces in the agro-biodiversity research and conservation would assist in mitigating climate changes and ensuing global food security (Jaenicke, 20). For improved productivity of a crop species, genotypes possessing uniform growth and reproduction are selected, bred and released for large scale production (Rauf et al., 90

Variations Among Bambara Groundnut Landraces 200). Characterization of Bambara groundnut landraces as a source of desirable genes is a primary step towards the conservation of biodiversity and for effective breeding (Ghalmi et al., 200). In this study the agronomic variation of Bambara groundnut landraces were evaluated to determine the genetic variability present within- and betweenlandraces using 49 landraces, while pod and seed were evaluated for morphological traits using 23 landraces. In addition, 58 landraces were evaluated for leaf morphology alone. All the seeds were initially selected from a diversity of Bambara groundnut landraces using seed morphological features including seed coat colour and pattern, seed eye colour and pattern, and hilum colour and pattern. row spacing of 0.4m x.0m, respectively. This spacing was referred to be sufficient to allow the crop to express its potential in the field. Each row represents a plot, due to lack of sufficient seeds. In addition, a total of 58 landraces whose seeds were small in number were grown in the field in a non-replicated trial using single rows for each landrace and were used for the assessment of leaf morphology. Ten plants were tagged for all and data collections. Sowing was done on flat bed, with one seed sown per stand. Missing stands were replaced within two weeks after sowing. All relevant agronomic practices were carried out to maintain a healthy crop. The entire selected landraces represent a Mini core collection of landraces from six geographical zones of sub-saharan Africa including one seed company (Table ). Data on quantitative agronomic and seed traits were collected. Data on the quantitative traits from the replicated trial were generated using ten tagged plants in each row within the seven incomplete blocks over the two replicates as well as from the non-replicated trial. Because of the within and between variations, few quantitative data were measured to allow single plant selection for further yield evaluation. The quantitative data include number of days to st Seedling Emergence (SEM) and number of days From Planting to 50% Seedling Emergence (FPEM). These were taken as number of days from sowing to seedling emergence. Other measurements were taken using a measuring ruler expressed in centimeter (cm), including Plant Height (PHT) as distance from the ground level to longest terminal leaf of the plant. Canopy Spread (CNS) was taken as the widest ends of the plant, while Terminal Leaf Length (TLL) and Terminal Leaf Width (TLW) were measured as the distance from the leaf tip to the point the leaf by the leaf blade ends on the leaf stalk and the widest ends across the leaf blade, respectively. Seed Length (SDL) (measured as the longest ends of the seed), Seed Width (SDW) (measured as the distance between the sides of the seed MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Site The study was carried out in the field at the Ukulinga Research and Training Farm of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and in the controlled environment facility of UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus, South Africa. The experiments were conducted from October, 20 to May, 202. The field site is situated on a latitude 30o 24 S, longitude 29o 24 E, and 800 m above sea level (Information was provided by the University weather station). Plant Material, Experimental Design, Field Management, and Data Collection Forty nine genotypes of the Bambara groundnut landraces were used for the field experiment. The landraces were evaluated using a partially balanced lattice design with two replications (Table ). The genotypes were randomized within seven incomplete blocks over the two replications. The experimental plot comprised of a single row measuring 2.2 m long, with inter- and intra9

Mohammed et al. Table. List of the Bambara groundnut landraces used for some agronomic and seed traits assessment and their origin used in the study.a S/No. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 20 2 22 23 24 25 Accessions 2-3 2-45 2-46 2-47 2-48 2-52 2-53 2-55 2-56 2-57 2-58 2-59 2-60 2-6 2-62 2-63 2-64 2-65 2-66 2-67 2-68 2-69 2-7 2-72 2-74 Origin Entry status 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry S/No. 26 27 28 29 30 3 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 4 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 Accessions 2-75 2-76 2-77 2-79 2-80 2-82 2-83 2-84 2-85 2-86 25-32- 42-2 89- KB 08 KN 2-6 KN 2-7 KN 2K M08- M09-3 SB 9-3- TV-4 TV-39 TV-93 Origin ZM ZM ZM ZM ARC KNG KNG KNG ZIM ZIM ARC IITA (Ghana) IITA (Sudan) IITA (Kenya) Entry status 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry ZM 5425 ZM 3236 ZM 2042 ZM 5689 KUBU 08 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry ZIM 08 ZIM 09 SB 9-3- TVSu 466 TVSu 390 TVSu 793 a Legend on seed sources: = Capstone Seed Company, Howick, South Africa; ZIM= Department of Research and Specialist Services, Zimbabwe; ZAM= The National Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Zambia; ARC= Agricultural Research Council, Republic of South Africa; PMB= Farmer collection from Pietermaritzburg in South Africa; KNG= Farmers collection from Kano, Nigeria; IITA= International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan in Nigeria. with the seed eye facing up), and Seed Height (SHT) (measured as the distance from the dorsal side to the point of seed eye of the seed) were determined using a Digital Vernier Calipers (cm) on ten randomly selected, but well developed and uniform seeds. SDL and SDW were measured as the height of the longest and the widest sides of the seed respectively, while SHT was taken as the height between the hilum and the dorsal end of the seed. Means and ranks were computed. The recorded qualitative data included pod shape and colour, seed shape, seed coat colour and presence and absence of a seed eye determined by visual assessment, and seed texture was determined visually and most frequently by hand feeling. Leaf morphology was evaluated through visual observation. All data recorded were according to descriptors for Bambara groundnut (IPGRI/IITA/BAMNET, 2000) with some modifications; and records were averaged. Data Analysis All the quantitative traits over the two replications were computed for all landraces over the seven incomplete blocks and subjected to Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) based on the lattice procedure, using Agrobase (Agrobase, 2005) and the SAS statistical program (SAS, 2002). 92

Variations Among Bambara Groundnut Landraces Treatments means were separated by the Least Significant Differences (LSD) at 5% probability. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze qualitative data using percentages (%). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION There were significant (P< 0.05) variations in some of the agronomic traits including days to st seedling emergence, days to 50% seedling emergence and canopy spread, among the Bambara groundnut landraces (Table 2). Terminal leaf width were highly (P< 0.00) significant, and there was no significant variation for plant height and terminal leaf length. Among the three seed traits evaluated, seed length was (P< 0.0) significant, whereas seed height showed significance at P< 0.05, there was no variation among the genotypes. The extent of variations observed calls for plant selection that can further be evaluated for the confirmation of homogeneity. Also, significant (P< 0.05) differences were detected for all the aforementioned traits between the replicates, probably due to variations of heterogeneity in the soils of the experimental field. Mean values for number of days after planting (DAP) to st and 50% seedlings emergence ranged from 9 to 3.5 for landraces KN 2-7 and 2-3, and to 22 DAP for landraces 42-2 and 2-37, respectively (Table 3). This corroborates with reports of characterization of Bambara groundnut landrace in Burkina Faso (Ouedraogo et al., 2008) who reported germination of 83.0% at 4 Days After Planting (DAP), while a range of 4 to 27 DAP and a mean of 2 DAP for 64.0% germination were reported by Abu and Buah (20). The mean plant height ranged from 9.7 to 27.9 cm for landraces TV-4 and 2-86, while canopy spread was 28.4 to 52.0 cm for landraces 2-48 and 2-86, respectively. Canopy spread with a range of 22.0 to 47.0 cm was reported in Ghana (Abu and Buah, 20). Mean terminal leaf length 93

Mohammed et al. 94

Variations Among Bambara Groundnut Landraces measured from 5.3 to 7.8 cm for landraces 2-79 and 2-72, while mean terminal leaf width was.8 to 3.35 cm for landraces 2-86 and 2-75, respectively. Seed length was measured at 8.6 to 3. mm for landraces KB 08 and TV-39, respectively while 7.6 to 0. mm was observed for landraces 2-86 and 89-, respectively. Mean seed height ranged from 7.4 to 0.0 mm for landraces KB 08 and TV-93, respectively. Significant (P< 0.05) differences have been reported for some quantitative agronomic and seed traits, such as plant spread, plant height, seed length and seed width (Ntundu et al., 2006). Shegro et al. (203) opined that cultivar and environment influence morphological dimensions among Bambara groundnut landraces. Table 4 showed the descriptive statistics of pod and seed morphology (shape) among 23 landraces, and that of leaf morphology among 58 Bambara groundnut landraces. There is scant information describing pod and seed morphology in Bambara groundnut landraces. In this study, 02 landraces with pointed and round pod shape were distinguished representing 47.9% as the highest, while 35 (6.4%) of the landraces had point and nook shape as the least, respectively (Table 4 and Figure ). According to IPGRI/IITA/BAMNET (2000) none of the landraces which were studied and observed had pods without a point. Only four kinds of pod colour were observed among the 23 landraces (Figure 2). A total of 62 (76.%) of the landraces were yellowish in colour being the highest, and only 0 (4.7%) of the landraces had reddish brown pod colour. Within the four descriptors for pod texture, 54 (72.3%) of the landraces had little grooved texture and < % of the landraces were more folded textured (Figure 3). Between the two descriptors used to describe seed shape, 69 of the landraces had oval shape and 44 were round, representing 79.3 and 2.7%, respectively. Description for the absence and presence of seed eye (Table 4 and Figure 95

Mohammed et al. Table 4. Pod and seed morphological traits among selected Bambara groundnut landraces and corresponding number and percentage of landraces.a Traits Description Number of landraces % Number of landraces bearing the trait bearing the respective trait. Without point 0 0.0 2. Point + Round 02 47.9 Pod shape 3. Point + Nook 35 6.4 4. Point + Point 76 35.7. Yellowish 62 76. 2. Brown 28 3.2 Pod colour 3. Reddish brown 0 4.7 4. Purple 3 6.. Smooth 42 9.7 2. Little grooves 54 72.3 Pod texture 3. Much grooves 6 7.5 4. Much folded. Round 44 20.7 Seed shape 2. Oval 69 79.3. No eye 26 59.2 Seed eye 2. Present 87 40.9. Black 5.2 2. Black/Purple 3. Brown 33 5.5 4. Brown speckle 5 2.5 5. Brown with spots 6. Cream 79 37. 7. Cream with black stripe 8. Cream RBFb eye 2 0.9 Seed coat 9. Cream stripe colour Cream variegated Cream/Purple D/Brown 4 6.6 D/Brown speckle 0 4.7 4. D/Brown with spots 5. L/Brown 33 5.5 6. L/Brown speckle 4.9 7. L/Brown with spots 8. Red 9 4.2 9. Tan 5 2.4. Round 78 49.4 2. Oval 24 5.2 Terminal leaf shapea 3. Elliptic 34 2.5 4. Lanceolate 22 3.9 a Assessed among 58 landrace, b Red Butterfly (Figure 2-B). 37.%. This was followed by brown and light brown seed coat colours with 33 landraces, representing 5.5% each. The least common seed coat colours were < %, displayed by only one landrace. Conversely, 58 landraces were used to define leaf morphology using four descriptors (Table 4 and Figure 5) wherein 78 landraces had 4), showed about 59% had no seed eye and 4% had seed eye present. Fifteen descriptors were employed to describe the various types of seed coat colour displayed by the Bambara groundnut landraces. Out of the 23 landraces studied, cream seed coat colour was dominated with 79 landraces, representing 96

Variations Among Bambara Groundnut Landraces (a) A (b) B (c) C Figure. Bambara groundnut landraces assorted by pod shape: (a) Point+Round (M2-)(Landrace name); (b) Point+Nook (2-34), and (c) Point+Point (TV 97-2). Figure 3. Bambara groundnut landraces assorted by dry pod texture: (a) Smooth (2-68) (Landrace name); (b) Little grooves (M09-3); (c) Much grooves (N2-2), and (d) Much folded (N2). Figure 2. Bambara groundnut landraces assorted by dry pod colour: (a) Yellowish (2-37) (Landrace name); (b) Purple (25); (c) Brown (0-28), and (d) Reddish brown (43-2). Figure 4. Description of the presence and absence of eye and its pattern on the seeds of some Bambara groundnut landraces: (a) Cream with black-broad eye (2-45) (Landrace name); (b) Cream with red-butterfly eye (275); (c) Cream with black thin eye (TV-96); (d) Red with plain eye (M 08-3); (e) Light-brown with black spots and plain eye (2-84), and (f) Dark-brown with plain eye (2-86). Figure 5. Description of leaf morphology of some Bambara groundnut landraces: (a) Round (2-55) (Landrace name); (b) Oval (2-68); (c) Elliptic (M09-3), and (d) Lanceolate (2-49). 97

Mohammed et al. Region of Ghana. J. Dev. Sust. Agric., 6: 6474 2. Agrobase, 2005. Agrobase Generation II User' Manual. Manitoba, Canada. 3. Amarteifio, J.O., Tibe, O. and Njogu, R. 200. The Nutrient Composition of Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterreanea (L.) Verdc.] Landraces Cultivated in Southern Africa. Agric. Trop. Subtrop., 43: -5 4. Azam-Ali, S., Sesay, A., Karikari, S., Massawe, F., Aguilar-Manjarrez, J., Bannayan, M. and Hampson, K. 200. Assessing the Potential of an Underutilized Crop: A Case Study Using Bambara Groundnut. Exp. Agric., 37: 433-472 5. Brink, M., Sibuga, K., Tarimo, A. and Ramolemana, G. 2000. Quantifying Photothermal Influences on Reproductive Development in Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.]: Models and Their Validation. Field Crop. Res., 66: -4 6. Collinson, S., Sibuga, K., Tarimo, A. and Azam-Ali, S. 2000. Influence of Sowing Date on the Growth and Yield of Bambara Groundnut Landraces in Tanzania. Exp. Agric., 36: -3 7. Drabo, I., Sereme, P. and Dabire, C. B. 995. Bambara Groundnut. In: Proceedings of the Workshop on Conservation and Improvement of Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.], (Eds.): Heller J., Engels, J. and Hammer, K. 4-6 November, 995, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy, Harare, Zimbabwe. 8. Ghalmi, N., Malice, M., Jacquemin, J. -M., Ounane, S. M., Mekliche, L. and Baudoin J. P. 200. Morphological and Molecular Diversity within Algerian Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Landraces. Gen. Res. Crop Evol., 57: 37-386 9. Goli, A. 997. Bibilograhpical Review of Bambara Groundnut. In: Proceedings of the Workshop on Conservation and Improvement of Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.], (Eds.): Heller J., Engels, J. and Hammer, K. 4-6 November, 995, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy, Harare, Zimbabwe 0. Goli, A., Bergemann, F. and Ng, N. 997. Characterization and Evaluation of IITA s Bambara Groundnut Collection. Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.]. Proceedings of the Workshop on a round leaf shape (49.4%); elliptic leaves were observed among 34 landraces (2.5%). Twenty four accessions showed oval leaves shape (5.0%); and 22 landraces had lanceolate shapes (4%). The findings in this study suffice it for Plant Breeders to use these landraces directly in scientific breeding projects of Bambara groundnut for its genetic enhancement especially for yield improvement and resistance or tolerance. CONCLUSIONS The findings in this study established the presence of sufficient within- and betweenvariations for some agronomic and morphological traits among the Bambara groundnut landraces studied for scientific breeding to be undertaken. This owes to the existence of several morpho-types within the landraces. The need remains for systematic selection of desirable agronomic traits such as maturity, pod and seed yields, seed quality and drought tolerance as well pests and diseases resistance and their use in breeding of the Bambara groundnut to boost its production and productivity. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are grateful to the management of the Department of Research and Specialist Services in Zimbabwe, the National Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Zambia, the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Ibadan in Nigeria, and the Bambara groundnut farmers in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and Kano in Northern Nigeria for supplying seeds of the Bambara groundnut landraces that were used in this study. REFERENCES. Abu, H. and Buah, S. 20. Characterization of Bambara Groundnut Landraces and Their Evaluation by Farmers in the upper West 98

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Mohammed et al. in Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranea ) (L. ] Verdc. Using Morphological Quantitative Traits. Acad. J. Agric. Res., : 45-5 3. Sprent, J. I., Odee, D. W. and Dakora, F. D. 200. African Legumes: A Vital but Under utilized Resource. J. Exp. Bot., 6: 257 265. ﺑﻮﻣﻲ ﺑﺎدام زﻣﻴﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻣﺒﺎرا م. س. ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ح. ا. ﺷﻴﻤﻠﻴﺲ و م. د. ﻻﻳﻨﮓ ﭼﻜﻴﺪه ﺑﺎدام زﻣﻴﻨﻲ ) Bambara (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc. ﻳﻜﻲ از ﺣﺒﻮﺑﺎت ﺑﻮﻣﻲ آﻓﺮﻳﻘﺎ ﻣﻲ ﺑﺎﺷﺪ. اﻳﻦ ﮔﻴﺎه ﺑﻪ ﻟﺤﺎظ ﻏﺬاﻳﻲ و اﻣﻨﻴﺖ ﺗﻐﺬﻳﻪ ارزش ﻗﺎﺑﻞ ﻣﻼﺣﻈﻪ اي در ﺑﺮاﺑﺮ ﺳﺎﻳﺮ ﺣﺒﻮﺑﺎت در اﻳﻦ ﻗﺎره دارد. ﺑﺎ اﻳﻦ ﺣﺎل ﻛﺸﺎورزان ﺧﺮد ﻫﻨﻮز ﺑﻪ ﻛﺸﺖ وارﻳﺘﻪ ﻫﺎي اﺻﻼح ﻧﺸﺪه ي ﺑﺎدام زﻣﻴﻨﻲ در ﻣﻨﺎﻃﻖ ﺟﻨﻮب ﺻﺤﺮاي آﻓﺮﻳﻘﺎ اداﻣﻪ ﻣﻲ دﻫﻨﺪ. ﮔﻮﻧﻪ ﻫﺎي ﺑﻮﻣﻲ ﺑﺎدام زﻣﻴﻨﻲ Bambara ﻣﺨﻠﻮط ﻧﺎﻫﻤﮕﻨﻲ از ﺑﺬرﻫﺎ ﻣﻲ ﺑﺎﺷﻨﺪ ﻛﻪ ﻋﻤﻮﻣﺎ ﺷﺎﻣﻞ ﻛﻤﻲ ﺗﺎ ﺗﻌﺪاد زﻳﺎدي از ﮔﻮﻧﻪ ﻫﺎي ﻣﺘﻔﺎوت ﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮژﻳﻜﻲ ﺑﺬرﻫﺎ ﺑﺎ ﺗﻨﻮع ژﻧﺘﻴﻜﻲ ﮔﺴﺘﺮده ﻫﺴﺘﻨﺪ. در اﻳﻦ ﭘﮋوﻫﺶ 23 ﮔﻮﻧﻪ ﺑﻮﻣﻲ ﺑﺎدام زﻣﻴﻨﻲ ﺑﺮاي ﺗﻌﻴﻴﻦ وﺟﻮد ﺗﻔﺎوت ﻫﺎي زراﻋﻲ - ﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮژﻳﻜﻲ دروﻧﻲ ﻳﺎ ﺑﻴﻦ ﮔﻮﻧﻪ اي ﻏﻼف و ﺑﺬر ﻣﻮرد ﻣﻄﺎﻟﻌﻪ ﻗﺮار ﮔﺮﻓﺘﻨﺪ ﻛﻪ ﺗﻨﻮع ژﻧﺘﻴﻜﻲ 49 ﮔﻮﻧﻪ ازآﻧﻬﺎ ﺗﻮﺳﻂ ﺑﺮرﺳﻲ 9 ﻣﺸﺨﺼﻪ ي زراﻋﻲ و 58 ﮔﻮﻧﻪ ي دﻳﮕﺮ از ﻃﺮﻳﻖ ﺗﻌﻴﻴﻦ ﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮژي ﺑﺮگ ﺑﺮرﺳﻲ ﺷﺪﻧﺪ. ﻏﻼف اﻛﺜﺮ ﮔﻮﻧﻪ ﻫﺎ ﺑﻪ ﺷﻜﻞ ﮔﺮد و زرد رﻧﮓ و ﺧﺎل دار ﺑﻮده و ﺑﺬر آﻧﻬﺎ ﺑﻴﻀﻲ ﺷﻜﻞ و ﺷﻴﺎردار ﺑﻮد. در ﻣﻮرد ﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮژي ﺑﺮگ ﻫﺎ % 49/4 ﺑﺮگ ﻫﺎي ﮔﺮد و % 2/5 ﺑﺮگ ﻫﺎي ﺑﻴﻀﻮي و ﻫﻤﭽﻨﻴﻦ % 55/7 ﮔﻮﻧﻪ ﻫﺎي ﻧﺎﻫﻤﮕﻦ ﺑﻴﺶ از ﻳﻚ ﺷﻜﻞ ﺑﺮگ داﺷﺘﻨﺪ. ﺗﻔﺎوت ﻫﺎي ﻣﻌﻨﻲ داري ) (P<0.05 در ﻣﺸﺨﺼﺎت ﺑﺬر و ﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮژي ﺑﺮگ ﻫﺎ ﻣﺎﻧﻨﺪ ﻃﻮل ﺑﺬر ﭘﻬﻨﺎي ﺗﺎج ) (canopy و ﻋﺮض ﺗﺮﻣﻴﻨﺎل ) (terminal ﻣﺸﺎﻫﺪ ﺷﺪﻧﺪ. ﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮژي ﺑﺮگ ﻣﻲ ﺗﻮاﻧﺪ ﻳﻚ ﻧﺸﺎﻧﮕﺮ ﻣﻔﻴﺪ ﺑﺮاي ﭘﺮورش اﺳﺘﺮاﺗﮋﻳﻚ و ﺣﻔﺎﻇﺖ ژﻧﺘﻴﻜﻲ ﺑﺎدام زﻣﻴﻨﻲ ﺑﺎﻣﺒﺎرا ﻣﻲ ﺑﺎﺷﺪ. 920 ﺑﺮرﺳﻲ ﻣﻘﺪﻣﺎﺗﻲ روي ﺑﺮﺧﻲ ﺗﻐﻴﻴﺮات زراﻋﻲ و ﻣﻮرﻓﻮﻟﻮژﻳﻚ درون و ﺑﻴﻦ ﻧﮋادﻫﺎي